Page 77 of Orange Blossom Way
“Then we’ll see you on the dawn patrol,” Sailor said. “I’ll pick you up at Dad’s.” He turned to Maileah. “I’ll have a wetsuit for you. The water is cold, so bring a sweatshirt for when you get out.”
Maileah would have to wake early, but she was excited to be in the ocean with Sailor again, now that she understood more about surfing than she had that first time.
Maileah joinedSailor and Skeeter on a sparse beach on another side of the island in the pre-dawn hour. He opened the rear hatch and brought out their gear.
While Maileah watched Sailor put on his wetsuit, the first light illuminated the hazy marine layer. She shivered in the chill morning air.
Sailor nodded toward the wave sets. “Waves are smaller here. This is a good spot for beginners or those who just want to cruise.”
“Or rebuild their confidence,” Skeeter added as she pulled on her wetsuit.
“You’ve got this,” Sailor said as he helped Maileah put on her suit. “You’re no paddlepuss. We’ll find the right wave for you, and I’ll be with you.”
Maileah nodded, eager to get into the water to move around and warm up her limbs. “Let’s do this.”
Sailor hoisted his board, though Skeeter hung back, her eyes fixed on the waves. “Maybe I’ll watch you guys first.”
“Just hang out on your board with us,” Sailor said, acting like it was no big deal.
With a nervous look, Skeeter eased onto her board in the water. They paddled out together, Sailor’s strong arms cutting through the water with ease while she and Maileah followed.
Though the water was chilly, the wetsuit helped Maileah retain her body warmth. As she watched the sunrise, the ocean’s magnetic power and rhythm was exhilarating. This hour of the morning was magical. This is the thrill she’d been missing.
Sailor went ahead, catching a few small waves while Maileah hung back with Skeeter, watching him as the wave sets rolled in. She began to feel like she could do that, too.
When a small, pointed wave approached, Sailor said, “Okay, this one is ours, Maileah. Follow me.”
Maileah paddled after him. As the wave swelled and lifted her board, she pushed herself up, wobbling slightly before finding her balance. For a moment, she was flying with the wind in her hair and the spray in her face, riding the wave with gusto until its energy was spent.
“I did it,” she said, whooping with glee and pumping her fist. It might as well have been a thirty-foot wave for the adrenaline high coursing through her.
“You looked good,” Sailor said with a broad smile.
Skeeter cheered for her. “You’ve got this, congrats.”
Sailor called out to his sister, “This next one is for you, Skeeter.”
His sister bit her lip, conflict clear in her eyes. “I don’t know...”
“It’s so much fun,” Maileah said, her heart still beating wildly.
Sailor paddled toward her. “No pressure. We’re right here with you whenever you’re ready.”
Maileah nodded encouragingly. “We’ve got your back. Promise.”
After a moment’s hesitation, Skeeter took a deep breath. “Okay. Here I go.”
Sailor followed his sister protectively. As they paddled out, Skeeter’s movements seemed tense, but determination was clear in her expression.
Maileah hung back, admiring Skeeter’s tenacity. Still, she was concerned for her. She knew all too well that easing into the moves helped. From experience, she knew she had a higher chance of falling if she was nervous on her snowboard because she wasn’t relaxed enough to sense, recognize, and make small corrections as needed.
“Feel the waves and move with them,” Sailor reassured her. “You’ve done this a hundred times.”
“More like a thousand,” Skeeter said, waiting for the right wave.
She’s got this, Maileah thought, pulling for her.
When the water swelled, Skeeter paddled into it and pushed up, crouching shakily on her board before tumbling into the water.
